Artificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. The leaves are blazing up the banks and we're waking to a chilly fall bite. Sunrise hit at 7:01 a.m., with sunset slated for 5:51 p.m. Skies are clear and cool this morning, and the breeze has been pretty manageable with wave action around 2-3 feet according to US Harbors.

Tidewise, we’re right in the middle of some healthy runs—high tide showed up at 7:59 a.m. peaking around 4 feet, and low tide rides in at 2:39 p.m. at about -0.16 feet. That’s a good strong exchange, meaning lots of water and bait getting funneled through the ditch. The tidal coefficient is sitting at 85 today from Tides4Fishing, so expect heavy currents and all the classic canal drama.

Here’s what the canal’s been coughing up lately: Striped bass action is still on for the determined. Local legend “Bull” MacKinnon landed a beast 53.5 inch, 50+ pound striper last week throwing a white pencil plug at the east end as reported by East End Eddie Doherty. There’s been a nice mix of schoolies and slot-size stripers scattered up and down the canal, and with all the sand eels moving through, the bass are feeding at all levels. Chris at Fishermen’s Supply says those bass are gorging on the sand eels—this is prime time for sand eel imitations, so bust out your Savage Gear and Al Gags soft plastics, along with white or bone-colored pencil poppers for that classic topwater commotion.

Moving down to the rocks and structure, tautog fishing is absolutely on fire. The Fisherman reports big concentrations on greens crabs—so if you want a blackfish dinner, grab a bucket and hit any of the hard structure: bridge abutments, pilings, and even the rocky West End. Tautog up to 23 inches have come in. Green crabs are the top bait, but Asian shore crabs are working too if you can get them. Remember, the daily limit is five tog per angler through year’s end.

Bluefish have been sporadic but keep an eye out for birds working the surface, especially at mid-tide swings. If you’re lucky, you could tangle with a few feisty choppers, and small metals like Kastmasters or Deadly Dicks work if they’re in.

Hot spots to hit today: the east end by the railroad bridge, especially on the dropping tide, for your bass fix. For tog, the Scusset jetty and the rocky shoreline along the West End are holding fish right now. Night patrols along the canal wall are also still turning up sizable bass, particularly if you stick it out around the east end rip line.

Best baits overall—bring green crabs and sandworms for tog, metal slabs and soft plastics for stripers, and have some topwater plugs on hand for dawn and dusk blitzes.

That wraps it up for this brisk October 21st in Cape Cod Canal. I’m Artificial Lure reminding you to fish smart, keep your lines tight, and pack an extra layer. Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to subscribe for the latest canal action and updates.

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